On August 25, the Institute of Medicine (IOM)
released a new
report titled, "Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and
Causality." IOM reviewed a list of adverse events associated
with eight vaccines and evaluated the scientific evidence
about the event-vaccine relationship. Overall, the committee
concluded that few health problems are caused by or clearly
associated with vaccines.

IAC's Handouts for Patients and Staff web section offers
healthcare professionals and the public approximately 250
FREE English-language handouts (many also available in
translation), which we encourage website users to print out,
copy, and distribute widely. To access all of IAC's free
handouts, go to: http://www.immunize.org/handouts

Bulk quantities of the 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Guides and PPSV
Pocket Guides are available--FREE!--from the National Influenza Vaccine
Summit

To aid in efforts to vaccinate against influenza
and
pneumococcal disease, the Immunization Action Coalition is
inviting IAC Express readers to place orders now for bulk
quantities of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Information Guide and
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination (PPSV) Pocket Guide.
Both are free--you can order them in the hundreds or
thousands!

These laminated, 3.75 x 6.75-inch, 2-color cards serve as a
convenient reference for front-line healthcare professionals
who vaccinate patients. Place a bulk order now, and your
organization will be ready to educate healthcare
professionals at upcoming immunization training sessions and
conferences. Each staff person who administers influenza or
PPSV vaccine needs these handy resources.

THE 2011-12 INFLUENZA POCKET GUIDE PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION:

Important points for healthcare providers

Indications, contraindications, and precautions for the
injectable, intradermal, and intranasal influenza vaccines

Clear direction regarding which children ages 6 months
through 8 years need 2 doses of influenza vaccine this year

Dosage, route of administration, and indicated age group
for all the various influenza vaccine products

The 2011-12 influenza pocket guide and PPSV pocket guide are
designed to be used by healthcare professionals only; THEY
ARE NOT PATIENT HANDOUTS.

HOW TO ORDER
Place your order at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/pocketguides There is no
cost for the pocket guides, shipping, or handling within the
U.S. They're going fast, so to avoid disappointment, place
your order ASAP!

BACKGROUND
These pocket guides were developed by, and are being
provided under the sponsorship of the National Influenza
Vaccine Summit, http://www.preventinfluenza.org The Summit
brings together public and private stakeholders to
facilitate and promote influenza and PPSV vaccination. The
pocket guides are also distributed by many major medical,
nursing, and pharmacist organizations, specialty societies,
state health departments, Indian Health Service Area
facilities, Quality Improvement Organizations, Visiting
Nurse Associations, community vaccinators, and many others.

Thanks for your dedication to immunization, and don't forget
to keep vaccinating against influenza through the spring
months!

CDC published "National and State Vaccination
Coverage Among
Adolescents Aged 13 Through 17 Years--United States, 2010"
in the August 26 issue of MMWR. The data show that
HPV vaccine coverage has not demonstrated the same strong
and steady increases over time like the increases seen
following the introduction of other vaccines.

The first paragraph of the editorial note is reprinted
below.

In 2010, vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13
through 17 years increased from coverage in 2009; however,
the percentage-point increase in >=1 dose of HPV among
females (4.4 points) was less than half the increase
observed for >=1 dose of Tdap (13.1) and >=1 dose of MenACWY (9.1).
As in previous years, coverage with >=1 dose of HPV
was higher among older compared with younger adolescent
females. Among females with adequate time to complete the
series, 30.4% had not done so. HPV completion rates were
lower among certain populations (i.e., blacks, Hispanics,
and those living below poverty) known to have higher
cervical cancer rates. Although HPV vaccination is only
universally recommended for females aged 9 through 26 years,
2009 ACIP guidance states that HPV vaccination may be
administered to males aged 9 through 26 years. Only 1.4% of
males aged 13 through 17 years received the vaccine in 2010.

IAC's Video of the Week features
a mother describing the aftermath of losing her 5-year-old son to influenza

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a
1-minute video
of Serese Marotta describing repercussions she and her
family experienced after the death of her son from
influenza. Ms. Marotta works with Families Fighting Flu, a
nonprofit volunteer-based advocacy organization dedicated to
protecting the lives of children by helping to increase
annual influenza vaccination rates. The video was produced
by the New York State Department of Health.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's
website through September 4. To access it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the
words Video of the Week.

Looking for the latest updates to IAC's website?
Look no
further. For frequently updated content, check out the
Central Feature Box on IAC's new home page. With its
changing visual images, it is the place to go to find
frequently updated content. In addition to IAC's welcome
message, the central box gives you access to these website
sections: Needle Tips & More (IAC's publications: Needle
Tips, Vaccinate Adults, and IAC Express), What's New at IAC,
Immunization News, Featured Resources, and Shop IAC.

CDC published "Prevention and Control of
Influenza with
Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011" in the August 26 issue
of MMWR. This report was previously published as an MMWR
Early Release on August 18, and was previously covered in
IAC Express on August 22.

IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are
available. Order a supply for your workplace today!

IAC's laminated versions of the 2011 U.S.
child/teen and
adult immunization schedules are covered with a tough,
washable coating that lets them stand up to a year's worth
of use in every area of your workplace where immunizations
are given. Each has six pages (i.e., three double-sided
pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" by 11".

Laminated schedules are printed in color for easy reading,
come complete with essential tables and footnotes, and
include contraindications and precautions--a feature that
will help you make an on-the-spot determination about the
safety of vaccinating patients of any age.

Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants,
Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health,
Immunization Branch

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH),
Immunization Branch, has updated its award-winning training
video, "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with
Infants, Children, and Adults." The 25-minute program can be
used to train new employees and to refresh the skills of
experienced staff. The video demonstrates the skills and
techniques needed to administer vaccines to patients of all
ages.

Prices start at $17 each for 1-9 copies and are greatly
reduced for large orders, dropping to $3 each for 1,000-1,499 copies.

Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare conference set
for September 28-October 1

The Association of Occupational Health
Professionals in
Healthcare's national conference will take place September
28-October 1, in Minneapolis, MN. The four-day conference
will offer occupational health professionals the opportunity
to learn, network, exchange information, and earn continuing
education credit.

This website is supported in part by a cooperative agreement from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (Grant No. 5U38IP000290) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. The website content is the sole responsibility of IAC and does not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.